New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has sharply criticized a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, calling it an “act of war” in a social media statement on January 3, 2026. The operation, which saw the couple transported to New York’s Stewart Air National Guard Base, has sparked protests across the state and reignited debates about international law.
Demonstrators gathered outside the Newburgh base on Saturday evening, while Manhattan saw crowds marching with anti-intervention slogans. Maduro’s detention marks an unprecedented escalation in U.S.-Venezuela tensions, with critics arguing the move violates sovereignty principles central to global diplomacy.
Analysts note the operation could have far-reaching implications for international relations, particularly as governments worldwide assess the precedent of cross-border military actions against elected leaders. The situation remains fluid, with Maduro’s legal status and potential diplomatic repercussions still unfolding.
